Scouts' Own

Scouts' Own or Guides' Own is an inspirational, informal ceremony held as part of Scouting or Guiding activities.

A Scouts' Own service is usually short, often lasting no longer than 15 minutes. They are made up of a mixture of readings, prayers, reflections and music. Many Scouts' Owns are based on a particular theme, such as friendship, using resources wisely, or fairness. This might be connected to a certain event or occasion. [cite web| url=http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/ps/fab/scoutsown.htm scoutbase.org.uk|title=Scouts Own|accessdate=2008-06-24]

A Scouts' Own is not a replacement for an individual's own worship according to their faith.

History

H. Geoffrey Elwes established the idea of Scouts' Own. They were first introduced in 1909 at the Crystal Palace Rally and were originally meant to be simple interdenominational religious celebrations. [cite web|url=http://www.guidingworks.com/resources/guidesown.html|title=Guides Own|accessdate=2008-06-24]

Robert Baden-Powell expanded on the idea and in 1928 described it as

For an open Troop, or for Troops in camp, I think the Scouts' Own should be open to all denominations, and carried on in such a manner as to offend none. There should not be any special form, but it should abound in the right spirit, and should be conducted not from any ecclesiastical point of view, but from that of the boy. Everything likely to make an artificial atmosphere should be avoided. We do not want a kind of imposed Church parade, but a voluntary uplifting of their hearts by the boys in thanksgiving for the joys of life, and a desire on their part to seek inspiration and strength for greater love and service for others.

A Scouts' Own should have as big an effect on the boys as any service in church, if in conducting the Scouts' Own we remember that boys are not grown men, and if we go by the pace of the youngest and most uneducated of those present. Boredom is not reverence, nor will it breed religion.

To interest the boys, the Scout's Own must be a cheery and varied function. Short hymns (three verses are as a rule quite enough-never four); understandable prayers; a good address from a man who really understands boys (a homily "talk" rather than an address), which grips the boys, and in which they may laugh or applaud as the spirit moves them, so that they take a real interest in what is said. If a man cannot make his point to keen boys in ten minutes he ought to be shot! If he has not got them keen, it would be better not to hold a Scouts' Own at all. [cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/Troop813/adobe/reverent/sctsown.pdf
title=A Scouts’ Own Resources|accessdate=2008-06-24]

Individual organizations

The Boy Scouts of America no longer officially uses the term Scouts' Own, preferring "outdoor worship service" or "interfaith worship service." [cite web| url=http://www.scouting.org/identity/los/los.jsp?typ=los&how=alfa&wat=S |title=Language of Scouting |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |accessdate=2008-01-15]

ee also

* [http://www.kidslist.uc.edu/kidslist/gs/neil/scown.html "For Scouts' Own"]
* [http://scoutdocs.ca/Documents/Scouts_Own.php "What is a Scouts' Own"]

References